While he was clearly on steroids while breaking the single-season home run record – he was able to do so by seeing very little pitches (averaging a HR every 6.5 AB). He was walked 177 times in 2001 (35 intentional) – dramatically reducing his chances to actually hit.

But, although the 73 is quite a spike – his career is pretty level beyond that one stat. He came remained respected with intentional walk in both 2002 (68) and 2003 (61). In 2004 he hit 45 HR’s while being intentionally walked 120 times (again – a dramatic loss of plate opportunities). He demolished Aaron (293) to (688) for his career in this category. From 1992-2004 he did not hit under 34 HR’s per season – basically coinciding with his move to SF – and the drastically short field in right-field.

That being said, he was most certainly on steroids. The sad thing is the tainting of his impressive career. One will never know when, how long, etc. the “juicing” occurred for.

Stats certainly lie, and often, but the case of Bonds – (and this sounds very odd) he overcame the obstacles his talent (then improved by steroids) presented – and still hit the shit out of the ball. Barring his final 3 seasons (40-42yrs old – one only 14 games) he would be a .300+ hitter over a 19 year span.

Don’t know…Hall of Fame?